How I learned to Embrace the Treadmill

By now, perhaps you’ve completed your first race of the season. Did you PR? Maybe by a lot, maybe not. If you ran through this winter, perhaps you employed the help of our dear friend, the treadmill! Even if you were brave enough, stayed outside, and never set foot on this moving walkway of belts and gears, you can certainly appreciate the sentiment.

If you’re like me, you dread, dread, DREAD doing any kind of workout on the treadmill. One day, I looked at the guy at Life Time, and said

I can’t do more than 15 min on this thing before I slap someone silly!

Luckily I didn’t, and actually learned how to use it to my advantage.

Avoiding, then Embracing The Treadmill

I tried avoiding it for as long as possible – instead I swam. Don’t get me wrong, swimming played it’s part also. Then around the time of the winter vortex, I caved. Oh trust me, I tried to go outside, but there were days that dressing up from head to toe in winter gear still wasn’t possible. I mean -20 doesn’t sound fun, right? I fought it as long as I could, but knowing I had a half marathon in March, I needed to train.

So, I instead decided to embrace the treadmill. I worked at it, and used it to my advantage. I began with hill training, “ok I can see this working.“, I felt that workout! The next time I did a speed workout, which worked out great. I now regularly do interval training, mixing it up from time to time.

Half Marathon Success

When I did the Washington DC half, I was able to finish strong, in part thanks to the treadmill. When everyone else moaned at the hill, I kept going and ate that puppy for breakfast! Later this spring, when I did the Get in Gear 10k, I knocked 9 minutes off my time from last years race. Woohoo! Hills don’t scare me now – actually I think they are scared of me!

So next winter when the weather is questionable and you can’t embrace the cold, don’t hesitate to jump on the old treadmill. It may surprise you. In fact, this summer when the humidity is 1,000% and it feels like you’re running with a wet towel wrapped around your face, you may opt to run on the dreaded mill as well.

Thank You Treadmill

Treadmill, thank you for all you do, we owe you big time! Although at times we curse you, mock you and call you names, many of us wouldn’t be here without you. Thanks for helping us accomplish our goals – in some way.

What’s your take on the treadmill? A necessary Minnesota running evil? A blessing, or just a curse? Leave a note below.

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